Chavez to farmers: Sell within Venezuela or it’s ‘treason’

The food security (alimentary security) of a country should has (definitively) “National Interest” level. So, the fact hugo is worried about it sounds no only logical but plausible. What he failed to mention is, this is their method of preference to take out private investors and businesses. In this case – like many other in the past years – he imposes a price control over a product that will force the producers to sell with loses. They can do that right? So, the state emerge as the benefactor and bring the products to the control price. Of course they (government) loose money in the operation, but let ask the question again, can they do that? Yes, they can loss money because they have the mentality of a rich grandchild (money grows on trees) and they have a purpose (people will be happy with the milk at the control price). After a while, the private company have to disappear, and the government stop importing the product and this just disappear from the market. Welcome to the 21st century socialism.

Story Highlights

• During weekly national address, Hugo Chavez orders farmers to sell domestically
• He says he will take over their farms or milk plants if they sell to buyers abroad
• The Venezuelan president says he will ‘bring in the Army’ if necessary
• In the face of a milk shortage, Chavez likened selling dairy abroad to “treason”

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Hugo Chavez threatened on Sunday to take over farms or milk plants if owners refuse to sell their milk for domestic consumption and instead seek higher profits abroad or from cheese-makers.

With the country recently facing milk shortages, Chavez said “it’s treason” if farmers deny milk to Venezuelans while selling it across the border in Colombia or for gourmet cheeses.

“In that case the farm must be expropriated,” Chavez said, adding that the government could also take over milk plants and properties of beef producers.

“I’m putting you on alert,” Chavez said. “If there’s a producer that refuses to sell the product … and sells it at a higher price abroad … ministers, find me the proof so it can be expropriated.”

Addressing his Cabinet, he said: “If the army must be brought in, you bring in the army.”

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